"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  p. 514.  Grant Co.

EMIL M. SCHARFF

     The sunny land of France has contributed many noble and liberty loving
citizens to this country, who are faithful in upholding the free institutions
that have been fostered here, and one among that devoted band is the pleasant
gentleman of whom we have the privilege of speaking, and who has contributed
materially to the advancement of the county where he is now domiciled, having
wrought faithfully here both for the good of the public and the augmenting of
his private exchequer, being attended meanwhile with the most gratifying
success.
     As suggested above, Mr.Scharff was born in France, the province of Loraine,
in the eastern part, being the place and June 12, 1860, the date.  His early
life was passed on a farm and he gained the educational training to be had in
the public schools.  On October 12, 1873, his mother died, and two years later
the father, with his four children, emigrated to the United States, settling
near Galena, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, being near the birthplace of General
Grant.  For two years there he worked with his father on the farm and then his
adventurous spirit longed for the scenes of the west and thither he came, alert
for the fortune that awaited him.  One year was spent in freighting from Denver
to Leadville, and then he went to Laramie City and spent a short time on the
range.  At this place he heard of the Indian war going on in eastern Oregon and
desiring to take part in the same he came thither via Winnemucca, landing in
Harney county, but was too late to participate in the conflict.  The following
spring he came to John Day and engaged to Berge Edington to herd sheep and one
year later he purchased a band of sheep for himself.  He remained three years in
the vicinity of John Day with his flocks and then in 1883 came to the region of
Monument and a little later bought the place where he now lives, one-fourth of a
mile southeast from Monument.  The estate is of the generous proportions of four
thousand acres.  The town of Monument is partly situated on what was a portion
of his farm.  Mr. Scharff's flocks are numbered by thousands and his estate is
well improved with all necessary utensils and fences and buildings, as a good
barn and a fine residence and other things that make it valuable and
comfortable.  He also has a good orchard and some cattle and horses.
     On July 22, 1897, the marriage of Mr. Scharff and Miss Celina, daughter of
Daniel C. and Anna Cohoe, took place and to them have been born three children:
Bertha D., Cedric C. and John.  Mr. and Mrs. Cohoe live near Monument.  Mr.
Scharff's father had poor health in this country and so went to France in 1884,
and in 1888 he passed to the world beyond.  Mr. Scharff is affiliated with the
I.O.O.F., at Heppner, and the K. of P., Lodge No. 40, at Longcreek.  In
political matters he is a Republican and holds firmly to the tenets of that
party, believing that the principles laid down there are for the welfare of the
country.  Mr. Scharff is a man of ability and sound judgment and is one of the
most substantial of Grant county's population, having ever manifested both
sagacity and unswerving integrity.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.